City profile · South Dakota · Census ACS 2023

Wagner, SD

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Wagner - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

1,555
Residents
$47,137
Median income
$129,200
Median home
$948
Median rent (state)

Wagner - the verdict

Wagner ranks in the 15th percentile for household income and the 5th percentile for safety nationally, out of every US city with at least 1,000 residents. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

15th
percentile, household income
21st
percentile, home value
10th
percentile, median rent
5th
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Wagner, SD

South Dakota's Wagner is a small town, with 1,555 residents per the latest Census Bureau ACS figures. Wagner households earn a median of $47,137 annually, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 8.2%. Home values in Wagner run a median of $129,200, and the median resident age is 38.8 years. 19.7% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 52.2% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

In 2024, 0 residential building permits were authorized in Wagner (No Permits), per Census BPS data. Wagner's reported crime rate runs above the national norm: per-100,000 total crime stands at 4548.7 in FBI UCR data, above the national average (a voluntary reporting program, read this as reporting activity, not a definitive danger score). NOAA climate normals record an annual average temperature of 49.8°F with 26.3 inches of precipitation per year.

Living costs in South Dakota run below the national norm: on BEA's 100-equals-national-average cost index, South Dakota scores 88.6 (Well Below Average), per the 2024 Regional Price Parities release. HUD Fair Market Rent for a typical two-bedroom in this state is $948 per month. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts South Dakota's average monthly utility costs around $200 (state average). Natural-hazard exposure scores 10.4 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Very Low).

Population

1,555 residents

Census ACS 2023 - South Dakota

Median Household Income

$47,137 /yr

Poverty 8.2%

Cost of Living Index (state)

88.6 (US=100)

Well Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, South Dakota average

How does Wagner compare to other US cities?

Wagner measured against every US city with 1,000+ residents, computed live from the same Census and FBI data shown throughout this page.

Household income 15% higher than other cities
Home value 21% pricier than other cities
Median rent 10% pricier than other cities
Safety 5% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

National percentiles can mask local variation. Looking only at South Dakota, Wagner ranks #34 of 34 South Dakota cities by lowest crime rate - a narrower, more locally useful cut than the national comparison above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

For each metric we count every US city with population 1,000+ and a non-null value, then compute what share of them fall below Wagner's value: round(cities-below ÷ total × 100). Safety is inverted (percentile = share of cities with a higher crime rate) so a higher number always means safer. The in-state rank narrows that same crime-rate comparison to only the cities PlainCities tracks in South Dakota, breaking ties alphabetically. See the methodology page for the full source-to-figure lineage.

15thIncome percentile
5thSafety percentile

15th percentile nationally for median household income · 5th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Wagner's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Wagner's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 35 Avg. percentile National median
Wagner's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Wagner's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$129,200 Among the most affordable more affordable than 79% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). This entry sits in this band. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Above this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Above this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Wagner $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Wagner, SD Wagner, SD's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Wagner, SD-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Wagner, SD median $47,137/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Wagner, SD's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Wagner, SD. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 19.7%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 8.2%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 52.2%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
1,555
Median Income
$47,137
Median Home Value
$129,200
Median Age
38.8
Poverty Rate
8.2%
Labor force participation
52.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
19.7%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
4548.7
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
639.7
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
3909.0
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Climate

Avg Temperature
49.8°F
Annual Precipitation
26.3"
Annual Snowfall
N/A

Schools

Total Schools
4
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
1,400 residents1,420 residents1,440 residents1,460 residents1,480 residents1,500 residents 202020212022202320242025 1,487 residents 1,422 residents ▼ -4.4%
Wagner's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

Total Permits (2024)
0
housing units authorized
Single-Family
0
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 0
2020 0
2021 0
2022 0
2023 0
2024 0

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
80.9%
Carpool
10.0%
Public Transit
1.2%
Walk
5.9%
Work from Home
2.0%

Based on 608 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for South Dakota - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$95
avg/month
Natural Gas
$65
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$40
avg/month
Total Utilities
$200
estimated/month

Estimates reflect South Dakota state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a South Dakota state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Wagner sits in

Cost of Living Index
88.6
Well Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$948/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
10.4 / 100
Very Low
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in South Dakota

Freeman
1,558 people
Baltic
1,512 people
Oglala
1,601 people
Green Valley
1,503 people
Kyle
1,495 people
Eagle Butte
1,492 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Wagner's 1,555 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Kaloko, HI
1,555 people
Gouldtown, NJ
1,555 people
Del Rey Oaks, CA
1,556 people
Twin Grove, IL
1,554 people
Ackley, IA
1,554 people
Rawls Springs, MS
1,554 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Wagner's $47,137 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

State College, PA
$47,132 median income
Larrabee, IA
$47,143 median income
Ridgeway, SC
$47,143 median income
Mason, TN
$47,143 median income
Northfork, WV
$47,143 median income
Jacksonville, AL
$47,146 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Wagner, SD Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Wagner, SD - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 49.5% 39.6% 8.4% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 6.9% White 49.5% Black or African American 0.3% Asian 1.4% American Indian 39.6% Native Hawaiian 0.3% Some other race 0.5% Two or more races 8.4% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Wagner compares to nearby South Dakota cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Wagner (this city) 1,555 $47,137
Freeman 1,558 $60,114
Baltic 1,512 $105,132
Oglala 1,601 $43,274
Census ACS 5-year FIPS SD FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Wagner, SD?

What is the population of Wagner, SD? +

Wagner, SD has a population of 1,555 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Wagner, SD? +

In Wagner, the typical household earns $47,137 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Wagner? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Wagner; the closest available measure is the South Dakota state average, a cost of living index of 88.6 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Well Below Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within South Dakota vary by metro area.

Is Wagner, SD safe? +

Wagner has a total crime rate of 4548.7 per 100,000 residents, which is above the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in Wagner, SD? +

Wagner's median home value sits at $129,200, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Wagner? +

Climate normals put Wagner's yearly average temperature at 49.8°F, 26.3 inches of precipitation. Source: NOAA Climate Normals.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities Editorial

Verify with HUD →

Verify with FBI →

Verify with NOAA →

Verify with U.S. Census Bureau →

Verify with EPA →

Verify with FEMA →

Verify with BEA →

Verify with EIA →

Verify with NCES →

Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.